Colorful coleus
An annual with endless variety
ONE BEAUTIFUL AND BRIGHT tropical plant that is most often grown as an annual is coleus. This member of the mint family is grown for its foliage and not for its flowers, which are often removed to make for a neater overall appearance.
The foliage can be bright lemony green, pink, red, deep dark purple and everywhere in between. Leaves can be a single color or have multiple colors in lots of different patterns. The leaf shape varies widely from pointed to oval and scalloped.
The plants themselves can be bushy or trailing, growing from 6 inches to 3 feet tall, depending on variety and growing environment. When plants are young, trim or pinch their stem tips to promote more branching and strong sturdy habits.
Coleus can be used alone or in combination with other annual flowers for a bright and colorful summertime show. It can be used in your porch containers, window boxes or ground beds. When grown in containers, it can be overwintered as a houseplant.
The preferred growing environment is part shade, though some varieties can be grown in full sun and some are tolerant of full shade. I have found that full shade is best for the lemony green varieties and a little sun helps other varieties be their most colorful. Choose one or plant several different colors and types together for a vibrant summertime display.
